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I want to build a basic cheap HTPC for my brother for Xmas gift to him and his wife.

Looking to spend as little as possible on a case, I already have Asrock M-ATX board, G630 CPU and 8GB DDR3 as well as 120GB SSD. I might need a PSU cause the one I have is a 350 watt crap logisys model that sells for like $10 but if I don't find a good $30 or less PSU I might just use that.

Anyone have this case?

Thoughts?

Is there a better one for basic micro ATX build ?

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"Too much is almost enough. Anything in life worth doing is worth overdoing. Moderation is for cowards."

SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum skin reinforced plastic front panel, 0.8mm SECC body MILO Series ML03B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Casehttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163174I want to build a basic cheap HTPC for my brother for Xmas gift to him and his wife.
Looking to spend as little as possible on a case, I already have Asrock M-ATX board, G630 CPU and 8GB DDR3 as well as 120GB SSD. I might need a PSU cause the one I have is a 350 watt crap logisys model that sells for like $10 but if I don't find a good $30 or less PSU I might just use that.

Anyone have this case?
Thoughts?
Is there a better one for basic micro ATX build ?

That case is pretty common for an htpc build, the XBMC forum is full of them. I have the case and it is very good but the Silverstone GD05 is, IMO, better for a microATX build and can often be found for the same price.......in the UK anyway.

I just saw the ML03B at Fry's today for $59.95. First time I saw one in person & I thought it looked pretty nice. It looked roomy enough inside but it will only take slim cards due to the height. For HTPC that should not be an issue.

I have the GD05 (the USB2 version). I don't know if this falls in the "better" category, but the GD05 is a relatively shallow case. For me I needed something that shallow to fit in my cabinet. I suspect the two Silverstone cases have about the same inside volume, but if you think you're going to have an issue with a shallow cabinet, the GD05 is a good choice. If height is a concern, I'd go with the other one.

SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum skin reinforced plastic front panel, 0.8mm SECC body MILO Series ML03B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Casehttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163174I want to build a basic cheap HTPC for my brother for Xmas gift to him and his wife.
Looking to spend as little as possible on a case, I already have Asrock M-ATX board, G630 CPU and 8GB DDR3 as well as 120GB SSD. I might need a PSU cause the one I have is a 350 watt crap logisys model that sells for like $10 but if I don't find a good $30 or less PSU I might just use that.

Anyone have this case?
Thoughts?
Is there a better one for basic micro ATX build ?

I have one and like it, the ML03 is Silverstones entry level case so it's not top notch but once together looks nice and blends in well with an entertainment center . If your going to use an optical drive there are size limitations since the PS and drive back into each other the PS length limit is 140mm the drive cannot exceed 170mm and right angle connectors are a must also if a modular PS were to be had that would be nice in this case. I ended up doing some slight mods inside the case to make cable routing easier. I have an SSD a green WD HD and a BR dirve installed a tight fit but do-able. If I had to do it over again I'd still use the ML03 even though it was a bit of a challenge for me to put together I do like the finished look.

You can't go wrong with the G630 that is one fine cpu that can be had cheap with a little shopping I used one in a throw together Linux machine and it works great.

PS the annoying light up a room blue LED front panel lights on the ML03 may have to be dealt with.

I believe you asked our opinion and not one person had much bad at all to say about the Silverstone.
I always take the known over the unknown especially if I have reason to believe that the known is excellent (or at least very good).
Clarification: The Silverstone GD04/05 is the Silverstone that I was referring to which you have asked about and received excellent feedback in multiple threads.

I am thinking I want something a bit less tall... or smaller.

It's for my brother - he would appreciate that.

But I am budget limited too. Those silverstones are higher end... and nicer but the cost is the factor there. Trying to find a good solution. My budget is like $80 with PSU or less... I might make the small silverstone work. I like how it looks and it's smaller than the 05/08's

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"Too much is almost enough. Anything in life worth doing is worth overdoing. Moderation is for cowards."

I am thinking I want something a bit less tall... or smaller.
It's for my brother - he would appreciate that.
But I am budget limited too. Those silverstones are higher end... and nicer but the cost is the factor there. Trying to find a good solution. My budget is like $80 with PSU or less... I might make the small silverstone work. I like how it looks and it's smaller than the 05/08's

Be very careful of your parts selection in that smaller Silverstone.
A lot of PSUs and optical drives won't fit together, for instance.

Thanks for the advice.

No optical drive being installed:

Here is what I have:

Asrock H61 Micro ATX US3S + 8GB Mushkin or Crucial (i forgot which is in there now) 1600mhz DRR3 + G630CPU and stock Intel cooler.
I also have a 120GB SSD I picked up for $50 on black Friday.
I own and currently use a Coolermaster cheapo PSU 460watt. I paid $15 for it.

I could keep using that cheap PSU in my server but I been shopping for a better Seasonic Variant around 600 watts, and if I pull the trigger it frees that one up. Otherwise I have a couple others in basement I would have to look, or just buy a NEO or MKIII or something for $30. Any idea the size of the PSU that works?

I might wait to get the case if I do before I buy. I have to have this done for Xmas. It's a gift for my brother and his wife. I like how the Silverstone looks and I know it would fit on the shelf in his living room with his bluray and surround receiver.

You think that case would work for me? Or have another affordable suggestion ???

I am trying to make this a cheap as possible- We have an agreement we won't spend more than $100 per couple between my wife and I and my brother and sister in law. I'm going to go over but I am trying to manage best I can.
I just really think they would enjoy it. They are constantly asking about mine.

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"Too much is almost enough. Anything in life worth doing is worth overdoing. Moderation is for cowards."

You could try this one - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121100 ? I've used it off and on for years and it always seemed to have the cleanest quality look of the lower cost options to me. It includes the PSU in the ~$60 price; although recent reviews suggest some PSU issues I never had a problem with the PSU that came with mine. The included 80mm fan positioned at the front along with the CPU fan kept everything cool & quiet enough for me with a Athlon x2 65 TDP micro using the MSI K8NGM2-FID with nVidia 6150 chipset graphics (only just retired this m/b from my main desktop in favor of A10 APU One thing to watch is the height of the DIMMS versus the length of the BD drive but otherwise worked fine for mATX board.